The Detroit Pistons have a chance to take a commanding lead over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. With a Game 4 win on the road, the Pistons would be back in the driver's seat and take a big step towards making the Conference Finals.
Cleveland will not make things easy for Detroit. The Cavs have yet to lose at home, and they are a deep and talented team, especially offensively.
Unfortunately, the Pistons are dealing with injuries to the back end of their rotation before Game 4, giving the Cavs a depth advantage.
Pistons injury report vs. Cavs: Huerter & LeVert both questionable in Game 4
In the official injury report ahead of Monday's crucial clash, the Pistons listed both Kevin Huerter and Caris LeVert as questionable. Huerter is still dealing with the same left adductor strain that has kept him out since Game 4 of the Orlando Magic series. LeVert, on the other hand, is a new addition to the injury report as he is dealing with a right heel contusion.
LeVert has increased his role in the rotation in the last two games, making this a potentially important loss for head coach JB Bickerstaff.
After falling out of favor in the Orlando series and being a healthy scratch in Game 7, LeVert has earned his spot in the rotation in the second round. He has played a total of 30 minutes in the last two games, scoring 14 points on 5/11 shooting from the field. In Game 3 in Cleveland, LeVert had four steals in 17 minutes, highlighting his defensive impact.
LeVert has not been very efficient and productive all season, but he gives the Pistons an experienced two-way contributor. Bickerstaff trusts him defensively, and if he is making enough shots on offense, he becomes a valuable backup.
This will be especially important if Huerter is unavailable. The Pistons are already low on shooting, and if the 27-year-old shooting guard misses his seventh straight game, Detroit will be limited in terms of outside threats.
If both players miss Monday's game, Daniss Jenkins will play as many minutes as he can handle. Ron Holland will also play significant minutes and will be tasked with guarding Donovan Mitchell or James Harden for long stretches.
The Cavs, on the other hand, largely have a clean bill of health. Thomas Bryant, who already lost his spot in the rotation, is the only player listed on the injury report. He is questionable to play with lower back spasms.
The Pistons have been able to overcome absences all season. For a team that has learned to win without its stars, these injuries to a few role players will hopefully not matter all that much.
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